Hume of the Week

Following this statement from history-challenged and (thankfully) outgoing MP Steve Gibbons, I can only hope that everyone keeps Mr Hume’s comment in mind:

It is seldom, that liberty of any kind is lost all at once.

Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary (1741) Essay 2 : Of the Liberty of the Press

What is so depressing is the ease with which free speech is being eroded. It highlights more than ever how a lack of historical awareness allows unethical or ineffectual government an easy ride.

When you don’t have history as a guide, it allows rationalising rhetoric to hide the fact that a political argument is bullshit. But an historical awareness provides precisely the corrective needed: example to the contrary.

With history, discipline on government. With history, scepticism of nonsense. With history, motive to action.